Multimedia Resources

This series of 12 video segments examines some of the lessons learned
from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident and includes the unique
perspective of two survivors of Chernobyl. The segments offer
information about radiation and how EPA is preparing to respond to a
large-scale radiological or nuclear incident in the United States.

Part 1: Introduction to Lessons Learned
The United States Environmental Protection Agency and other federal
agencies are constantly preparing for disastrous events, including event
involving nuclear and radiological materials. Since no cataclysmic
nuclear events involving widespread contamination have occurred in the
United States, EPA examines the events following the 1986 Chernobyl
catastrophe in the Ukraine in order to better prepare itself for equally
devastating nuclear accidents or acts of terrorism.

Part 2: Radiation and Radioactivity
This segment discusses general radiation topics including ionizing and
non-ionizing radiation, background radiation, the four major types of
ionizing radiation, radiation dangers, and how the public can protect
itself in the event of a disaster.

Part 3: Types of Radiological Incidents
There are four major nuclear scenarios for which EPA is preparing. This
segment discusses: 1) a radiological dispersal device (RDD) (aka as
dirty bomb), 2) a radiological exposure device (RED), 3) a terrorist
targeted nuclear power plant, and 4) the detonation of an improvised
nuclear device (IND). This segment also discusses the different effects,
as well as the different methods for reducing the risks, in each of
these scenarios.

Part 4: The Initial Response
Following any of the prospective nuclear disaster scenarios, there will
be a period of chaos. The success of the recovery from the disaster
depends strongly on the initial response of the local, state and federal
agencies. This segment outlines the initial response of the government
to the Chernobyl disaster in hopes of identifying critical information
pertinent to future responses.

Part 5: Learning from the Chernobyl Recovery
This segment documents some of the recovery efforts by the local and
Russian governments following the Chernobyl disaster. Two survivors of
the disaster, Larisa Leonova (an early responder) and Vira Yakusha (an
expectant mother living in Kiev), discuss the early recovery efforts
after the nuclear power plant accident that contaminated 10,000s square
miles of land. They discuss how they protected themselves and their
families.

Part 6: Reducing the Risk
Once the immediate crisis at Chernobyl had been contained, efforts were
redirected towards mitigating the effects of the disaster. This segment
documents several methods used to reduce the dose from the fallout to
the general public. This segment explores what, where and how to
decontaminate following a large nuclear disaster.

Part 7: Managing the Food SupplyAfter
the initial crisis is under control, the efforts turn to safeguarding
the food supply. This segment discusses those measures that were used in
Chernobyl to mitigate the risk to the food supply. Vira Yakusha
discusses their efforts to reduce her own exposure and especially that
of her infant daughter. Food supplies were monitored and livestock
management was adjusted to reduce the dose from the food supply. Soil
was treated and some areas were quarantined.

Part 8: Coping with Health Concerns
Health problems were a major concern among those affected by the
accident. Vira Yakusha, a young mother, discusses the decisions she made
in order to help ensure the safety of her young daughter who was born
four months after the Chernobyl accident.

Part 9: The Importance of Information
As with many crises, much of the difficulty early in the crisis is due to
lack of available, credible information. Larisa Leonova and Vira Yakusha
describe what information was available following the Chernobyl
disaster, how it was disseminated, and how it affected their personal
decisions. In the U.S. there are plans to ensure greater openness and
rapid dissemination of the appropriate precautions to take.

Part 10: Being Prepared
What is the U.S. government doing to prepare for a nuclear/radiological
incident? There are high level preparations being made and exercised at
all levels of government to ensure an effective, measured, and timely
coordinated response. This segment discusses how the government’s
preparations and how individuals can prepare themselves to respond to an
incident.

Part 11: ConclusionWe
can recover safely. The U.S. continues to prepare for such an incident.
The U.S., as well as other countries, can survive and flourish
following a nuclear catastrophe. However, it may require a long period
of time to fully recover from an incident. EPA explores the catastrophe
in Chernobyl to provide information to the public to educate themselves
on the risks and the ways they can be reduced.